TWO men have died in separate accidents on Kent roads. A 39-year-old motorcyclist from East Malling, near Maidstone, died in Bromley Hospital an hour after a head-on crash with a car in West Wickham.

His bike was in collision with a blue Nissan Micra. He has not yet been formally identified,

Insp Andy Dawson, of the Metropolitan Police's collision investigation unit, said: "This is a very busy stretch of road running across south east London and a major route to Kent. We hear there were several cars in the area and appeal for any witnesses to come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 020 8284 5988.

In another accident yesterday afternoon, an 81-year-old Hythe man died in a two-car crash on the A2 at Barfreston, near Dover. A woman in the car was seriously injured. It happened at about 4pm - two hours before the firefighters' strike was due to begin.

Firefighters from Canterbury and Aylesham were at the scene at 6pm when the first national strike for more than 25 years took effect, but they carried on working to help free those trapped.

The dead man was driving a Proton car. It is believed he pulled on to the A2 and was in collison with a Rover travelling London-bound. The Proton driver was declared dead at the scene.

His 80-year-old wife and two people from the Rover were taken to Kent and Canterbury Hospital, none with life-threatening injuries.

The accident blocked both carriageways of the A2, causing rush-hour chaos. Some drivers were delayed for a number of hours.